Target Dreams

This Post is based on the article  " The clear message in the Court’s ‘no’ to electoral bonds "  Which is Published in the The Hindu on 17th February 2024.  Introduction: The Supreme Court of India, in its ruling on February 15, 2024, has made a significant decision by striking down the electoral bonds scheme .  This move highlights the crucial need for transparency in democracy, particularly concerning campaign funding. Transparency Restored The electoral bonds scheme was criticised for its opacity, leaving voters unaware of who funded political parties and the amounts involved.  Transparency in campaign funding, a cornerstone of leading democracies, has been reinstated by the Court's decision. Limits on Corporate Funding The Court's judgment addresses legal issues, including the removal of limits on corporate funding, which can lead to undue influence on the government.  By reinstating these limits, the Court aims to prevent the potential misuse of funds for politi

This Post is based on the article "Need for Climate Smart Agriculture in India" Which is Published in the The Hindu on 25th November 2023.  Introduction: The 21st century confronts humanity with two paramount challenges: climate change and food insecurity. Ongoing climate-related impacts, such as heatwaves, floods, droughts, and cyclones, are adversely affecting lives and livelihoods globally. Challenges for Agriculture: Severe droughts in the southern continents, including India, are negatively impacting agricultural production and farmers' livelihoods. Population growth and dietary changes are escalating the demand for food, placing additional strain on traditional farming practices. Climate change is rendering traditional farming less productive, necessitating farmers to reevaluate their methods. Adapting to Climate Change: Farmers worldwide are adopting adaptation measures to mitigate the negative effects of climate change. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) emerges as

This Post is based on the article "Recognising the impact of climate change on health"  Which is Published in the The Hindu on 22nd November 2023.  Introduction: As India prepares for the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), a critical concern emerges regarding the impact of climate change on the country's health.  The vulnerability of India's population to climate risks is exacerbated by inadequate health systems. Direct Health Impacts: Climate change directly contributes to increased sickness and mortality rates. Indirectly, it influences nutrition, diminishes working hours, and heightens climate-induced stress.  The rising global temperatures, surpassing the agreed-upon limit of 1.5°C in the Paris Agreement, pose a severe threat.  Recent records indicate 2023 witnessed historically high temperatures and heat waves, with the situation expected to deteriorate further. Double Burden of Morbidity: India fa

This Post is based on the article " How can ‘One Health’ help India, and India help ‘One Health’ ? " Which is Published in the The Hindu on 24th August 2023.  Introduction : The global concept of 'One Health' is gaining popularity, and India is adopting its principles to enhance its response to health crises.  One Health is a holistic approach to problems that recognises the interconnections between the health of humans , animals, plants and their shared environment. This idea dates back to Hippocrates, who linked public health with a clean environment.  Rudolf Virchow in the 19th century emphasised the connection between animal and human medicine.  Modern veterinarians like James Steele and Calvin Schwabe further emphasised the ecological link between animal and human health. Why is One Health Special ? The One Health approach is significant due to its ability to address the complex challenges arising from factors like population growth, urbanisation, and environment

This Post is based on the article " Resisting Landslides- Building resilience against landslides " Which is Published in the The Indian Express  on 23rd August 2023.   Fragile Himalayan Ecosystem The Himalayas, a young and rugged mountain chain, are susceptible to various natural and human-induced activities.  Tectonic movements, erosion, weathering, and climate events like heavy precipitation and freezing/thawing pose threats, resulting in landslides, floods, and avalanches.  Human activities further accelerate stress on this delicate ecosystem. Urgent Measures for Resilience:  To combat these challenges, the region must establish resilience against geo-hazards through an integrated approach.  This includes deploying a network of sensors, real-time monitoring, and AI/ML-based Early Warning Systems (EWS).  These tools can help anticipate and mitigate the impact of natural processes, environmental degradation, and human actions. Climate Change and Vulnerability The impacts of

This Post is based on the article " Crafting safe Generative AI systems " Which was Published in the  The Hindu on 21st August 2023.   Introduction The emergence of Generative AI holds the potential to bring about revolutionary changes across various sectors, potentially contributing trillions of dollars annually to the global economy through Large Language Models (LLMs). As an illustration of this transformative potential, consider the case of the Jugalbandi Chatbot deployed in rural India, driven by ChatGPT.   This innovative chatbot has the capacity to democratise information access, thereby enhancing the economic prospects of numerous individuals.  However, this promising trajectory is accompanied by legitimate concerns regarding the risks associated with Generative AI. Malicious actors can exploit AI-powered tools to craft highly convincing human-like entities, paving the way for misinformation, disinformation, fraud, hate speech, and other detrimental outcomes. Risks an

This Post is based on the article "How is the SC tackling gender stereotyping?" Which was Published in the The Hindu on 20th August 2023.   The Supreme Court of India is taking significant steps to address and eliminate gender stereotyping within the legal community. In its ongoing efforts, the court has released a handbook titled "Combating Gender Stereotypes," aimed at fostering a more inclusive and equal legal environment. This write-up delves into the key aspects of the Supreme Court's initiatives and their implications for Indian society. Understanding the Initiative: In a proactive move, Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud introduces the handbook as a means to challenge outdated and patriarchal notions, particularly when addressing women's issues.  The handbook provides lawyers and judges with an array of alternative words and phrases to replace gender-unjust terminology in their proceedings.  It underscores the importance of identifying, understa

This Post is based on the article "Safeguard the election panel’s independence" Which was Published in the Hindustan Times on 17th August 2023.  The article has provided a comprehensive analysis of the recent controversy surrounding the Union government's introduction of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023.  The central focus of this debate, as author highlighted, goes beyond the composition of the selection committee and delves into the broader issue of safeguarding the independence of the Election Commission of India (ECI). The article can be summarised as follows: Anoop Baranwal Verdict and Structural Independence:   The Anoop Baranwal vs Union of India judgment by the Supreme Court underscored the importance of maintaining the structural and operational independence of the Election Commission.  It examined the historical context of Article 324(2) of the  Constitution and